NONITO Donaire Sr. knows what he wants. Underneath a mild-mannered and soft spoken exterior, lies a resolute individual who happens to be the father of a world champion.
At a recent dinner hosted by my fellow Sun Star Cebu columnist John Pages at the snuggly, family-owned Moon Caf?, Nonito espies his son IBF/IBO World Flyweight Champion Nonito Donaire Jr. voraciously wolfing down some mouth-watering campesitos.
If you didn?t know, Nonito Sr handles corner man chores for his son as well as his dietary needs. He doesn?t interrupt the binge, but gently nudges his son and reminds him to take it easy.
Nonito tells us that when he arrived in the US, he decided to bring his kids to the gym to take steer them clear of gang recruitment. In so doing, he turned them into athletes. One of them into a world champion.
But both Nonitos acknowledge that the work is still in progress. Nonito Jr. is still a long way off from becoming a boxing legend. But with Nonito Sr. in his corner, both of them are confident that they have the recipe for success.
A FATHER?S LOVE. Does the paternal tie always equate with success in boxing? Freddie Roach once opined that father and son tandem?s don?t seem to work, in reference to Erik Morales? performance against Manny Pacquiao.
Actually, it?s a case-to-case basis. The demise of Erik?s career could possibly be attributed to other factors, not necessarily to a father?s love. We all know it takes more than just being a father to successfully guide a boxer into fistic glory, but it sure won?t hurt to have someone in your corner who genuinely knows you inside out.
Let?s take a look at some of the more popular pop and kid combos in recent boxing history. You be the judge.
The Moraleses. Jose ?Olivaritos? Morales has charted his son?s career from Tijuana to Nevada. They parted briefly when Jose divorced Erik?s mother but they eventually reunited. During Erik?s long and prosperous career, he had the occasion to work and consult with other notable trainers such as Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Nacho Beristain, but Jose remained to be the principal trainer. Despite finishing his career with four consecutive losses, his wins over Pacquiao, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Jesus Chavez ensure enshrinement in the Hall of Fame.
The Mosleys. In 1998, Shane Mosley was the fighter of the year and Jack was the trainer of the year. But after Shane lost to Winky in their first fight, Joe Goosen was brought in to work with him. It didn?t matter much though as Winky still beat Shane in the rematch. Thankfully, Jack and Shane began working together again and revived Shane?s career. The recent loss however to Miguel Cotto might spell retirement for Sugar Shane.
The Trinidads. A successful unbeaten run through three weight divisions made ?Tito? a legend. But he got executed by Bernard Hopkins and retired briefly after the knockout loss. Afterwards, Felix Sr. was reportedly concerned that Tito was becoming punch drunk as he was slurring his speech, but to date, Tito has un-retired twice already and his father remains to be his mentor and trainer.
The Mayweathers. I begged and haggled. Cajoled and pleaded. I even shamelessly bribed my preppy editor Mike Limpag with a one year supply of notarized affidavits, but he was unimpressed. Mike refused to budge when I explained to him I needed more column space to accommodate two of the biggest egos in the boxing world.
Just imagining them cramped in one tiny corner in a boxing ring makes me cringe. Something?s got to give. The result? After a much publicized reunion for the De la Hoya fight, Floyd Sr. told everybody afterwards that his son deserved to lose the fight. Enough said.
GUITAR MAN. Today is your last chance to catch the Cebu Guitar Festival at the Outpost in Nivel Hills. Drop in, be awed, and jam with my good friends Alvin Ginduy, Jonks Muana, and the coolest prosecutor in town, Grae Elmido.
LAST ROUND. It?s on a couple of good looking Scorpio dudes celebrating their birthdays this week- my nephew Karl Antonius and drinking buddy Rayboy Aleonar. Happy birthday and Cheers!
